MASHPEE – Just six months into his tenure, Mashpee Superintendent Brian Hyde has received a contract extension that will keep him at the helm of the school district until 2018.

The Mashpee School Committee voted 4-1 Wednesday night to extend Hyde’s two-year contract, which began July 1, for another three years. The terms of his current contract will be maintained, and his $145,000-per-year salary will continue to be reviewed each spring by the committee.

Chairman Scott McGee said despite Hyde’s short tenure, the committee wanted to lock him into a longer-term deal. Two dozen school districts across the commonwealth are looking for superintendents, he said, which meant Hyde would have multiple options should he decide to start a job search.

“We didn’t want to have the opportunity to lose him,” McGee said. “He’s doing a fantastic job so far.”

Hyde said Thursday that he was grateful for the extension. He is “100 percent committed” to Mashpee for his career, he said, but would not have returned to teaching in the district if his tenure as superintendent were short-lived.

“If I was not renewed, I would have been looking,” he said. “I believe I’m a perfect fit for this role. I’m thankful that the School Committee thinks so, too.”

So far, however, Hyde hasn’t had a chance to realize his primary goal of increasing the district’s standardized test scores. The most recent Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System scores showed the district’s students missed targeted results in several grade levels.

The results put the district at Level 3 in the state’s five-tiered ranking system, which means it fared in the bottom 20 percent of similarly situated school districts around the state. Level 1 schools are the top performers; Level 5 schools are chronically underperforming.

The scores released this fall were from tests taken in the last school year, so it’s yet to be seen if Hyde’s first year at the helm will improve the district’s standing. It very well may take more than one year, McGee and Hyde both said, but the committee largely feels Hyde remains the right person for the job.

“With his experience in teaching, we think he can fix the MCAS scores,” McGee said.

Hyde’s hiring was a bit of a surprise within the community. The School Committee ended negotiations with its first candidate, Steven Hiersche, then the interim superintendent in Hopkinton, and offered the job to Hyde. Despite his 25 years experience in the district, Hyde had served only one year as interim assistant principal at the high school. He also lacks a doctorate, a common credential for school district superintendents.

Although Hyde had the support of many teachers and parents, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council Chairman Cedric Cromwell sent a letter alleging unequal treatment of Wampanoag students by Hyde. Cromwell later issued a follow-up letter with more supportive language concerning Hyde’s appointment.

McGee said Hyde has worked well with students, parents and town officials and created “outstanding” working relationships.

School Committee member Don Myers cast the lone dissenting vote. McGee said he preferred to wait until more time had passed before considering a contract extension. A message left with Myers seeking comment was not returned Thursday.